PARLIAMENTARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5827, 29 October 1879, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY.

V r V L -' " ; [Pkb Pbbsb Association.]’ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

, Tubsdat, Oct. 28. AFTERNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.80 p.m. OHBiarCHUEOU BLKOTIOW.

. Mr Ftctoh, Chairman of the Christchurch’ Election Petition Committee, brought up a report .finding Sir O. Grey occupied the seat .■aJW moved—“ That the report _and proceedings lie. on the table until, enquiries are; made as to whether or not the proceedings of the Committee had been done accord-; mg to law,’* He stated that, on the votes being taken, one member neglected',t’6 record his vote until the following day, thereby ex--posing himself to the risk of being tampered with. . ; !,'* ■ L .,v; Mr Fpiioh said that the statement made in support of the motion was not itt accordance with the facts of the ease. , . . . Sir G. Gbbt argued; that, haying been returned by the votes of 1350 electors, if unseated and Mr Richardson’s election confirmed, the electors would be practically disfranchised. . , , The. motion was negatived on the voices, and the import ordered to he placed on the official records of the House. The Hon B. Richardson’s presence was then; summoned, and he was formally inducted into the seat for Christchurch.

THE DBBBOXJON OB THE AUCKLAND , MEMBBE3. ' , ‘ Mr Hr stop gave notice, of a question relative to the terms made by Government for securing the support of the four Auok* land members, together with all particulars of the works upon which the money said to have been promised for • that support was . to be spent. The Eon J. Hall tabled a docmnent ,in conformity with a motion calling upon Go? vernment to produce all correspondence that had passed between the Government, and the four Auckland members, dealing with the conditions upon which their support was obtained. The document was reads stating that no. such correspondence had been found in connection with the official records. ■

Sir G> Gbei stated that the document was simply ah evasion, asserting that it was well known that correspondence had passed between the said parties. Mr Hamlin moved the election of a Select Committee to enquire into the matter, with power to call for persons and.papers, and take evidence on oath.

The Hon J. Hall maintained that the motion was irregular, inasmuch a* it aimed at the production of documents which formed no part of the public business. Mr Swanson said that, so far as he was concerned, be had no objection whatever, to the production of the correspondence. Mr Colbbck defended his conduct in the affair, and, charged the Opposition with having deposed Sir George Grey from the leadership, when in point of fact he was the only one who could lead them. Finding the public business obstructed, and no apparent chance of being proceeded with, he had gone over to the side of the Government - for, the sole purpose of- solving the difficulty that hud arisen. •’‘ ' . . The debate was interrupted by tne 5.30 p.m. adjournment.

EVENING SITTING. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. WITHDEAWAIi OB THE NO-COKFIDENCB motiok. ’

On the motion to go intd Committee of Ways and Means, ■ Mr MAOANpBBur said in consequence of his party having been deserted by certain members oh whom they relied, he had determined upon withdrawing the' No-Oonfl-dence motion standing in his name. The Hon J. Ham, in acquiescing in the application, said that all Government, had armed at was to allow their policy to be brought before the country.- _ After passing a formal resolution allowing the issue of a Deficiency Bill,' the House resumed on the No-Confidence motion, but as Mr* Macandrew did hot wish to' moye it, the.. Speaker declared it lapsed. The Orders of the Day were then resumed, and Mr Eombsxon moved the second reading of the Land Act Amendment Bill, the debate on which proceeded till it was interrupted by the 10,30 adjournment. .

[EEOJC OHB OWN COBEBSPONDBNT.] , WELLINGTON, Oot. 28. The situation is becoming, daily more complicated, and many independent members, disgusted with the state of affairs, are pairing and making arrangements to return home. MV Driver has already gone, Mr Shrimski goes in a day or tyro, and others next week, unless a .radical change takes place in the state of parties. Separation is freely , talked about. The NewZealander says ? “ This , iniquitous agreement entered into between Ministers and members is more likely to bring about the separation of the two Islands than anything which has ever happened.” . , ; - The Timet states that Mr Macandrew and Mr Sheehan made overtures to the Hon J. trail to be taken into the Ministry. This« ; quite -without foundation;, the fact is that Ministers made repeated overtures to , Mr Macandrew, which were rejected; neither he nor Mr Sheehan will compromise. There seems every reason to believe that either Mr Pitt or Mr Adams has in his possession, a written premise of money to Nelson similar, to. that held by ,Mr Swanson on behalf of Auoldand. . . Mr ARwright will probably openly j oin the Opposition; .practically he has ,done so already, The Opposition , caucus have decided to allow legislation . proceed, withdrawing for the present the no-confidence motion., , , Mr Karelin this afterhoonmoved for a (Committee with power to call persons and papers and take evidence on, oath .with respect to the, negotiations between Messrs Hall and Wood . for the ] purchase ; of the Auckland vptes. Messrs Hall and Rolleston appealed to the House on the ground that’ the, production of the correspondence would he ; an,, ‘‘ inconvenient precedent.” An angry debate followed, which was interrupted by the adjournment., (